The Sugar Mill Restaurant by Half Moon, Montego Bay has the perfect ambience for Valentine’s Day Dinner. I am not sure if they have any special menu for the day, but if you go, be sure to ask for your local rate and enjoy.

The Blue Window Restaurant has quite an eye-catching menu and they aim to please with added entertainment. Even their Island Jerk Chicken Salad looks good. But how do you choose between that and the Spicy Curry Shrimp with whipped saltfish?! Make sure you order both and feed each other. I would also definitely have their Surf & Turf.

The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus

***Reservations Recommended***

Location: 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5

Ph: 876-926-3690 – 5

4. Chive Restaurant

One of my faves, Chive restaurant is offering a 4-Course Valentine’s menu for Friday AND Saturday. Their menu looks fantastic, especially that chive style Bouillabaise! Be sure to make your reservations, as seating is limited.

The 21st staging of the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday on the lawns of Devon House was truly a euphoric atmosphere with the highest standards of food and drink in abundance with vibrant music to bounce and wobble to while guests indulged.

All the booths were quite inviting, but with experience, my friends and I were quite selective about our approach to ensure that we didn’t neglect or overlook any of our favourites or newbies on our hit list.

We started at Rainforest Seafoods, where they had salivating Sushi spreads and Wines to pair it all with, including one of my faves, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling courtesy of Select Brands.

One of the salivating Sushi spreads from Rainforest Seafoods.

We then made our way over to the Restaurant booths from Sandals Resorts International. Tender, juicy cuts of Beef, Ham and Lamb, Seafood, Ribs, Cheese platters, Cocktails, you name it!

As I continued to walk the lawns of Devon House with 18-year old whiskey in hand from Johnnie Walker, my stops had to include my other faves, Stush in the Bush, Christina Simonitsch, Half Moon, Uncorked Sovereign North, Mystic Thai, Steak House on the Verandah and newbies, Jamaican Peanut Butter Factory and Butcher Block by Gregory Burrowes who had savoury offerings from Chef Celeste Gordon, last year’s OFA Caterer of he Year.

Sending a special shout out and hearty Congratulations to Chris and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush who cleaned up this year and deservedly so! Their plant powered spread by their very own Sagicor Group booth this year, satisfied scores of guests at a time.

Lisa and Chris Binns of Stush in the Bush who walked away with 3 awards including the coveted, ‘Jamaican Restaurant with Outstanding Gastronomy Experience Award’.

Christina Simonitsch, who walked away the Enterprise and Outstanding Caterer Awards tantalised our taste buds with her Charred Scotchie Shrimp, then cooled it down with her G.H. Mumm & Strawberry Popsicles. The scrumptious Oxtail Arancini left me speechless.

A taste of what to expect from the Seafood Restaurant to come at Half Moon, Delmare were absolutely delicious Pan Seared Scallops accompanied by tomato compote with saffron and vanilla zucchini spaghetti with Tarragon.

Even if I didn’t indulge, I had to also stop by newbies Chillin’ Restaurant and Bar, Seaside Dutchie and Tastee Ltd./Brew’d Awakenings

Grace Kennedy’s Harbour Wines and Spirits also impressed with their Ménage à Trois selection of Wines and more.

You are always as good as your last show and this was by far the biggest and best Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards that I have attended.

This year the Food Awards celebrated various Communities with Jamaican cuisine as authentic as you can get. Congratulations to the Chefs of theCommunities that were selected and awarded:

• The Sephestines for Mount Estate, St. Thomas• Monica Ottar for Bailey’s Vale, St. Mary• The Allens for Gifford House – Granville, St. James, Montego Bay• Christopher Marsh for Chris’s Cafe – Main Street, Oracabessa St. Mary• Chris & Lisa Binns for Stush in the Bush – Free Hill, St. Ann

Chefs, Bakers, Caterers, Retailers and Restaurants have really elevated the level of quality for what they had to offer over the past year.

Congratulations to conceptualiser, Novia McDonald Whyte, the Jamaica Observer, the Judges, Sponsors, Retailers, the talented Nominees, Awardees and everyone responsible for the successful execution and staging of the Food Awards this year.

Cheers to next year!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Veal Chop – 14oz/400g ($65USD) with jerk-herb butter and a side of sautéed Callaloo with garlic ($8.50USD) #SugaEndorsed

This Veal Chop from Sugar Mill Restaurant was well seasoned and cooked to medium rare perfection. Since veal is from calves, the meat was lighter and more tender compared to a Beef Tenderloin.

The reputable, fine-dining restaurant, Sugar Mill is rated Suga’s Best Restaurant in Jamaica to date and was the well deserved recipient of the ‘Restaurant of the Year’ award at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards once again this year, May.

***Prices quoted attract an additional 10% G.C.T and 15% Service charge. Locals get 20% off the bill***

Randy Burgess and wife, Gabrielle a.k.a Suga from Suga Lifestyle by the Waterwheel at the front of the Sugar Mill Restaurant last Friday, May 4. The Waterwheel is the only surviving structure of the Running Gut Estate that was established in 1676.

Suga’s Ratings for Sugar Mill Restaurant

Date and time of visit: Friday, May 4, 2018 at 7:00pm

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★★

Food quality: ★★★★★

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★★

Comments: The Sugar Mill Restaurant lived up to its reputation for a high standard of service and food quality surrounded by the perfect ambience in an authentic, rustic garden setting. Seating at this fine-dining restaurant was spacious and sufficient, giving diners multiple options, including by the actual Waterwheel.

The menu is diverse, offering international cuisine with a Jamaican flair. Dishes arrived in a timely manner. The meats were cooked to perfection, well seasoned and complemented by other items for added, unique flavours. Well mixed drinks from the bar accompanied our dinner. Sugar Mill Restaurant is the perfect place to impress a date or to enjoy with family. #SugaEndorsed

Sugar Mill Restaurant has quite an assortment of breads with dips to tease the appetite, such as Cho cho with saltfish, a Blue Cheese dip and an Escoveitch dip. If you’re not careful, you will be left with very little space for your main or dessert.

My husband and I received a taste of Tuna with spicy aioli to start us off, compliments of the Chef.

The satisfying serving size was similar, but slightly larger than Terra Nova’s Lamb chops. Both are well seasoned, tender cuts that are cooked how I like it, medium rare, but Sugar Mill gets the edge with its flavour and the crust that developed on top as it was cooked for the right amount of time, which made it perfection.

Veal Chop – 14oz/400g ($65USD) with jerk-herb butter and a side of sautéed Callaloo with garlic ($8.50USD)

My husband enjoyed this change in comparison to his usual cut of Beef Tenderloin. It was well seasoned and cooked to medium rare perfection. Since the veal is younger, it was a lighter, more tender meat that he appreciated.

We were too full for Dessert, so either the Chef felt like being generous to us or he knew Suga was in the house! We were given Sweet treats compliments of the Chef. Delish!

Dinner for two at the established, fine-dining Sugar Mill Restaurant can run a couple a bit over $200USD, but it is usually totally worth it. Prices quoted attracted an additional 10% G.C.T and 15% Service charge, however locals get 20% off the bill.

Kudos to the Chef and staff for an exquisite dinner and to our courteous waiter, Dexter Lloyd who provided exceptional service.

TGIF! We have 1 week to go until Restaurant Week Jamaica (RW) starts next Friday, November 11 and runs through to Saturday, November 19th.

The Epicurean Category ($4310JMD excluding Bar, GCT, Service Charge) has been a drag with the same Restaurants every year so Suga is excited to make the new addition, L’Escargot in Ocho Rios the top pick overall for Epicurean this year.

L’Escargot has been on my ‘Places to Go’ list for some time and their menu looks inviting. Their signature Escargots sautéed in garlic butter, herbs and white wine is highly anticipated for the Appetizer. I am wondering how it will compare to the famous, award winning Toscanini Italian Restaurant that is also in Ocho Rios. There are choices of Smoked Blue Marlin or Sautéed Sea Scallops as well.

Créme brulee, Créme caramel and Chocolate mousse are the choices for Dessert.

Do you have your passport Suga Bears? Ochi here I come!

For those who are doubling up or can’t make it to Ocho Rios for RW, my top pick for Kingston is Rojo Restaurant at the Spanish Court Hotel, which strives to give consistently great service and serve consistently good quality food compared to Terra Nova. Terra Nova usually lives up to their polished reputation for Restaurant Week but Rojo’s menu is Suga’s preferred choice.

Fling Back Friday (#fbf) to RW 2013 at Rojo Restaurant

Marguerites Seafood by the Sea, which was my choice last year, is my top pick this year for Montego Bay. The menus from Sugar Mill and Restaurant at Round Hill haven’t grabbed me. I love that Marguerites revised their RW menu. The Pepper Steak Moderne accompanied by a Caribbean risotto topped with oxtail ragout should be a treat. I was thoroughly impressed by my visit last year, which was perfection.

#fbf RW 2015 at Marguerites!

***For Reservations***

● L’Escargot

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 973-5652; 973-5589

● Rojo Restaurant at The Spanish Court Hotel

Location: 1 St. Lucia Avenue. Kingston.

Ph: 926-0000

● Marguerites Seafood By the Sea

Cloucester Avenue, Montego Bay

Ph: 952-4777

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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